Electric-circuit-controlling appliance



A ril 22, 1930. J. SACHS 1,755,368

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Original Filed July 7, 1927 E 1 P4 5 a? Zm/ ntm Jasep/y 555/73 )J W Patented Apr. 22, 1930.

UNITED STATES PATENT ore-Ice JOSEPH S AGHS, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ELECTBIC-CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPLIANCE Application filed July 7, 1927, Serial No. 204,078. Renewed December '2, 1923.

This invention relates to an electric switch and particularly to a fused electric switch of the general t pe'disclosed in my oopending application or Electric circuit controlling appliance Serial No. 153,966; filed Dec. 10,

. One object of the present invention is to provide a switch of the type referred to having certain improved details of construction particularly involving the stationary and movable switch contacts. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved operating mechanism for the movable switching member of a switch,

particularly a switch of the type referred to.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown the embodiment of the invention which I now deem preferable but it will be understood that the drawing is for illustrative pur oses only and'isnotto be construed as de ning j or limiting the scope of the invention, the

' claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view of an appliance embodying the invention, the cover 0 the enclosing cabinet being -omitted.

Fig. 2 is a bottom View of the switch and fuse parts shown in Fig. 1 this view also showing the switchoperating handle and in addition showing the cabinet and the cabinet cojrgr in transverse section. V

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 1 and 2 represent a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts; In addition to the pair of stationary switch contacts 1 and 2 I have shown a second supported in spaced relation with a rear supporting wall which may be the rear wall of an enclosing cabinet and the stationary pair of similar stationary switch contacts 3 switch contacts are shown as projecting rearward from the plane of the rear part of the base toward the said supporting wall.

Located between the stationary switch con-. tacts of each pair is an insulating element having opposite fiat faces and when there are two pairs of such switch contacts as shown the same insulating element 6 extends between the contacts of both pairs. The insulating element 6 is movable longitudinally in the plane of the said opposite fiat faces thereof and between the said stationary switch contacts.

Carried by the movable insulating element is a movable conducting contact means adapted to engage the stationary switch contacts of one pair, two such contact means being provided when there are two pairs of contacts. Each contact means comprises two resilient portions having contact faces located respectively at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective stationary switch contacts. Preferably the stationary switch contacts are provide d with substantially parallel outer contact surfaces which face away from each other. and in this case the resilient portions of the" contact means are provided with substantially parallel contact surfaces which face toward each other at opposite sides of the insulating element and which normally means comprises two separate contact strips 7 and 8 formed of resilient metal and bent intopartial loop form so as to provide contact surfaces facing toward each other and adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the corresponding stationary switch contacts 1 and 2. The two contact elements 7 and 8 are secured to the insulating element 6 and to each other by means of rivets 9' which extend through the insulating element. The rivets 9 also serve to electrically connect the said strips 7 and 8. The upper contact means comprises two similar contact strips 10 and 11 secured in place by means of rivets 12.

Preferably the stationary switch contacts of each pair 1, 2 and 3,4, are closely spaced so as to contact or substantially contact with the opposite flat faces of the insulating element 6. Thus the insulating element serves to mechanically support and hold the said contacts to prevent any bending or flexing thereof toward each other.

The insulating elementfi and the two contact means thereon constitute a switching member, this member being rectilinearly movable in the space between the base 5 and the rear supporting wall. When the switching member is in the position shown in Fig. 1 electrical connection is established between the stationary switch contacts of each pair. When the movable switching member is moved upward away from the position shown in Fig. 1 the elements each contact means is separated from the corresponding stationary switch contacts thus breaking the circuit at each contact. it will be observed that the insulating element, 6 extends between the contacts of each pair in all positions and, therefore. constitutes an insulating barrier between them. The insulating element therefore serves to reduce to minimum any possible arcing tendency incident the breakin of the circuit.

l referahly an appliance embody ing invention includes not only the switching element as described but also includes fuse receiving contacts. i hav own two fuse receiving contacts 13 and .dapted for receiving a screw plug fuse such as F but it will be understood that i do not limit myself to, contacts for receiving a fuse of this type. fuse contacts 1 and M- are mounted upon the base 5 at the front thereof.

Provision is made for electJically connecting one switch contact of each pair with a corresponding fuse contact. [is illustrated the switch contact 2 is formed as an integral part of a conducting strip 15 which extends along the rear of the base to a point behind the central fuse contact 13. Preferably the fuse contact 13 is in the form of a head on a screw 16 this screw extending rearward and engaging the strip 15. The strip 15 is also held by means of a screw 17. The switch contact 4 is formed as an integral part of a strip 18 which extends into a recess in the base and engages with the outer fuse contact 14. This strip 18 is also held by means of a screw 19.

The stationary switch contact 1 is preferably formed as an integral part of a conductor element 20 which is secured to the base 5 by means of screws 21,- 21, this conductor element being provided with a wire receiving terminal 22. The stationery switch contact 3 is preferablyformed as an integral part of a conductor element 23 which is secured to the base 5 by means of screws 24, 24. This conductor element 23 provided with a wire receiving terminal 25. It will be understood that when a line or service wire is connected with the terminal 22 and a load wire is con- The nected with the terminal 25 a circuit is or may be established from the said terminal 22 through the switch contacts 1, 7, 8 and 2 to the fuse contact 13. The circuit extends throughthe fuse to the fuse contact 14 and from the latter it extends through the switch contacts 4, ll, 10, and 3 to the load wire terminals 25. When the switching member is moved upward the circuit is broken-at the stationary switch contacts 1 and 2 and also at the stationary switch contacts 3 and i, there thus being two breaks at each side of the fuse and a total of four. breaks.

Preferably the fused switch is enclosed in a suitable cabinet and l have illustrated for this purpose a cabinet 26 of conventional form. The cabinet 26 is provided with a rear wall 27, side walls 28 and 29 and an openable front cover 30. lreferably the cover is provided with an opening at 31 through which the fus is accessible when the cover is closed.

For holding the insulating base 5 in spaced relation with the rear supporting wall, that is, in spaced relation with th rear wall 27 of the cabinet, I provide two supporting members 32 and 83 which are preferably formed of sheet metal. lhe two members32 and 33 are secured by riveting or otherwise to the rear wall 27 as indicated at 34, 34, and

they are 'provided respectively with inward.

turned flanges 35 and 36 which directly engage with the base. The base is held in place on the flanges 35 and 36 by means of screws 37 and 38.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention l utilize one of the base supporting elements as, for instance, the element 33 as a means for partly supporting the switch operating means. The switch operating means is in the form of a rod or spindle having a cranked portion within the cabinet and having a manually operable handle on the exterior of the cabinet. According to common prior practice the operating spindle for an enclosed fused switch has been carried directly upon some part of the enclosing cabinet, commonly extending through both of the opposite side walls of the cabinet and being directly supported thereby. The mounting of the operating spindle in bearing apertures in both of the cabinet walls necessitates the use of a spindle which is much:

longer than what would otherwise be necessary and l avoid the use of such a long spindle and attain other important advantages by utilizing one of the base supporting elements, as for instance the element 33, as a means for also partly-supporting the spindle. As illustrated the operating spindle has a straight pivot section 39 which extends through aligned bearing apertures formed in the side wall 29 and in the supporting element 331 At the inner end the operating spindle is formed with an offset crank portion lo and element 6. From an inspectionof the drawings it will be obvious that when the handle is in the upper position shown in Fig. 3 the switching member is in its lower circuit clos- 7 ing position. When the hand is moved down- Ward to the lower position shown'in Fig. 3 the switching member will'be moved to its upper circuit opening position. I do not herein broadly claim the combination of a transversely slotted rectilinear-1y movable switchin member with a pivoted operating spindle aving an-overhung crank portio'n entering the slot, as this is presented in my copending application for Electric circuit controlling appliance Ser. No. 131,043 filed Aug. 23, 1926. I Preferably as illustrated there is an auxiliary cover 43 for closing the opening 31 in the main cover, 30. This cover 43 is mounted to slide laterally but its lateral sliding movement is obstructed by the handle 41 when the handle is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the switch. However, when the handle is'moved to the position corresponding to the open position 0 the switch the auxiliary cover 43 can be moved toward the right to uncover the opening 31 and when so moved it obstructs the handle 41 so that the handle cannot be moved to close the switch. The specific construction and inter-relationship as herein described between a sidewise opening cover and a switch operating, handle are not claimed as part of the present invention, thesebeing set forth in my patents for Enclosed fused switches, Nos. 1,721,493, 1,721,494 and 1,721,495 all issued July 16, 1929.

In addition to the parts already described in detail the fused switch 'appliance'may include a conductor element 44 having wire receiving terminals at 45 and 46 adapted for:

the connection of wires constituting another material, whereby it may be operated. When a test link such as 47 is provided there .are also preferably provided test contacts 51, 52, 53 and 54 associated respectively with the wire receiving terminals 23, 45, 48, and 49. The specific location of the test link 47 does not constitute a part of the present invention, being set forth and claimed in my copending application for Electric meter service appliance, Ser. No. 715,320 filed May 23, 1924.

What I claim is: I

1. In an electricswitch, the combination of an insulating base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base, means for connecting the said contacts in an electric circuit, an insulating element having opposite flat faces and movablein the p ancs of the said faces between the said stationary contacts, a movable conducting contact means carried by the said insulating element, the said means comprising two resilient portions having contact surfaces located'respectively at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective sta-' tionary switch contacts, and means for moving the said insulating element as aforesaid to substantially simultaneously disengage the said movable contact means from the stationary switch contacts, the said insulating element extending between the said stationary contacts in allvpositions so as to constitute an insulating barrier between them.

2. In an electric switch, the combination 7 of an insulating base, a pair of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base, and respectively rovided with substantially parallel outer surfaces facing away from each if other, means for connecting the said contacts in an electric circuit, an insulating element having opposite flat faces and movable in the planes of the-said faces between the said stationary contacts, a movable conducting contact means carried by the said insulating element, the said means comprising two resilient portions having substantially parallel contact surfaces facing toward each other at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective outer contact surfaces of the said stationary switch contacts, and means for moving the said insulating element as aforesaid to substantially simultaneously disengagethe said movable contact means from the stationary switch 3. Inan electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, a pair of op osed stationary switch contacts carried y the base and respectively provided with substantially parallel outer contact surfaces facing away from each other, means for connecting the saidcontacts in an electric circuit, an insulating element having opposite flat'fa'ces engaging the said contacts at the inner faces thereof, the said element being movable in the planes of its said opposite faces between the said stationary contacts, a movable conducting contact means carried by the said insulating element, the said means-comprising two resilient portions having substantially parallel contact surfaces facing toward each other at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective outer contact'surfaces of thesaid stationary switch contacts while the said contacts are engaged sulating barrier between them.

7 4. In a, fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, a pair of fuse receiving contacts on the base, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base, means for connecting one switch contact of each pair with a corresponding fuse contact, wire receiving terminals connected respectively with the other switch contacts of the said pairs, an insulating element having opposite flat faces and movable inthe planes of the said faces between the said stationary contacts, two conducting contact means carried by the said insulating element, each of the said means comprising two resilient portions having contact surfaces located respectively at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair, and means for moving the said insulating element as aforesaid to substantially simultaneously disengage the said two movable contact means from their corresponding stationary switch contacts.

5. In a fused switch appliance, the combination of an insulating base, a pair of conacts on the front of the base adapted forreceiving a screw plug fuse, two pairs of opposed stationary switch contacts carried by the base and projecting rearward from the plane of the rear face thereof, means for connecting one switch contact of each pair with a corresponding fuse contact, wire receiving terminals accessible from the front and connected respectively with the other switch contacts of the said pairs, an insulating element at the rear of the base having opposite flat faces and movable in the planes of the said faces between the said stationary contacts, two conducting means carried by the said insulating-element, each of the said means comprising two resilient portions having contact surfaces located respectively at opposite sides of the insulating element and normally engaging the respective stationary switch contacts of the corresponding pair,

and means for moving the said insulating element as aforesaid to substantially simultaneously disengage the said two movable contact means from their corresponding stationary switch contacts, the said insulating element extending between the saidstationaryi contacts in all positions so as to constitute an insulating barrier between them.

' 6, In an enclosed electric switch, the combination of an enclosingpabinet having side walls and a back wall, an insulating base in the cabinet and spaced from the back wall thereof, a supporting element secured to the back wall of the cabinet and engaging the base, a switching means Within the cabinet and supported at least in part upon the base, and an integral operating spindle for the switching means including a handle located outside of the cabinet and a crank portion located inside of the cabinet and connecting with the switching means, the said spindle being pivotally mounted partly in an aperture in one side wall of the cabinet and partly in an aperture in the said base supporting element. I

7. In an enclosed electric switch, the combination of an enclosing cabinet having side walls and a back wall, an insulating base in the cabinet and spaced from the back wall thereof, a sheet metal supporting element secured to the back wall of the cabinet and engaging the base, the said element having a portion thereof substantially parallel with the side walls of the cabinet, a switching means within the cabinet and supported at least in part upon the base, and an integral operating spindle for the switching'means ineluding a handle located outside of the cabinet and a crank portion located inside of the cabinet and connecting with the switching means, the said spindle being pivotally mounted partly in an aperture in one side wall of the cabinet and partly in an aperture in the said base supporting element.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of June, 1927.

JOSEPH SACHS. 

